The Ski Classics Challengers event, Skinnarloppet, is a 45km long-distance race in classic technique taking place this Sunday, February 15, 2026, in Malung, Sweden.
Skinnarloppet is a long-distance ski event held in Malung, Sweden, and was first held in 1924. The 45km classic event will now join the Ski Classics Challengers circuit, starting with the upcoming edition on February 15, 2026.
Skinnarloppet boasts a rich heritage, first held in 1924, just two years after Vasaloppet, making it one of the oldest ski marathons in Sweden and globally. The 2026 edition marks the 94th time the classic race will take place.
Over the years, Skinnarloppet has attracted impressive participation, with several editions reaching up to 1,000 skiers and a record of over 1,500 skiers. Renowned not only for its long-standing tradition but also for its generous prize table, the event continues to offer one of the largest prize sums in Sweden for elite skiers, and this season, also for juniors. In addition to podium placements, the event offers raffle prizes for all participants.
The course has taken various forms over the decades. Still, the event has now settled on a two-lap format entirely on natural snow, starting and finishing at the Skinnarloppet Arena in Malung. Hosting a long-distance ski race with only two laps on natural snow has become increasingly rare in Sweden, a tradition that the organizers take great pride in preserving.
Set in the scenic forests and rolling hills of Dalarna, the racecourse features moderate climbs and sprint checkpoints, creating a flowing, enjoyable experience for both elite and recreational skiers. The course has earned strong praise from participants across all levels, providing the ideal mix of challenge and accessibility.
Held two weeks ahead of Vasaloppet and featuring a similar elevation profile, Skinnarloppet is often seen as the perfect tune-up race for Sweden’s most iconic long-distance event. It is not uncommon for the Skinnarloppet champion to go on and win Vasaloppet.
Over the years, the race has attracted several big names in the sport, including Sixten Jernberg, Jerry Ahrlin, Jørgen Aukland, and Stina Nilsson – the latter born in Malung and introduced to skiing on the very tracks used for Skinnarloppet.
More information about the event can be found HERE
Skinnarloppet – Ski Classics Challengers
- Date: February 15, 2026
- Place: Malung
- Country: Sweden
- Distance: 45km
- Technique: Classic
- Website: Skinnarloppet
- Facebook: Skinnarloppet
- Instagram: Skinnarloppet
- Registration: Skinnarloppet
More information about the event can be found HERE and HERE
As Skinnarloppet 45km is a Ski Classics Challengers event, Pro Team registered athletes can collect points for the Ski Classics Champion and Youth competitions in their respective genders.
A list of Ski Classics Challengers events with confirmed dates for Season 2025/2026 can be found at Ski Classics. The list is updated continuously with new events.
Everyone participating in Ski Classics, Pro Tour, or Challengers events, professional and recreational skiers, can connect their profile to the results database of Ski Classics, called MyPages.
MyPages can be connected when subscribing to the Ski Classics online community proxcskiing.com. In the profile, you can view your Ski Classics event results, collect pins, print diplomas, and analyze your results with friends in the SC ranking system. In your profile, you collect points according to your performance and are rewarded with pins and diplomas.
One of the central features of MyPages is that you get your global SC ranking. The SC Ranking is a live-updated international ranking, unique in combining women and men, professional and recreational skiers in a single list.
Author: Leandro Lutz
Photo: Skinnarloppet
